*HELP- How to make a tank look like it took a hit

if you are looking for a technique to give you the result of a "glancing blow" you might try using a dremel (don't know if you have one but most people do). 

using the attachments, i have used the engraving tip that came with the dremel, you can make a gouge.  using sanding sticks, sandpaper, whatever you can then smooth out the burrs surrounding the gouge you made.  you can vary the severity of the blow by the depth that you make the gouge.  just be careful to not overdo it! 

as far as colors go, dark greys would work best, even (depending on your basecoat color, dark browns mixed in as well. 

not sure if this is the look you're going for but thought it might help.

Make a hole with an x-acto knife, heat the x-acto knife and melt the sides around the hole. 

ww298kscope

It is just a MINOR hit!!!

I’d start with a rat-tailed file & some silver (not black) paint.

Bigger hole, coarser rat-tailed file & some gray (not black) wash.

CORRECTION- I have an airbrush but no experience..... any links to some good thread on airbrush techniques for military models would be helpfull!!!(but please still keep in mind the orignal point of this thread.)

-Matt

well, I just wanted to know of a technique like "heat it up and then slowly push something into it to make an indent like a shell hit and paint it black" or something like that.....actually- that sounds like a good idea

I`ll save that technique for a french tank

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Here is a shot of a Stug hit.  I found quite a few sites of tank damage.  Now thinking about it, I may have missed the question.  You want to know how to make tank damage as step by step?

I supposed a shotgun is out of the question.